On January 8, 2005, a Piper PA-28-161 (registration N9419C) was involved in an aviation accident near Decatur, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance and the instructor's inadequate supervision. Contributing factors were the prevailing dark night conditions, and the power line. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A flight instructor and student pilot were approaching runway 35 when the airplane struck power lines and impacted terrain short of the runway.
Accident Details
A flight instructor with 6,150 hours of experience was conducting training flights with a student pilot. After completing two touch-and-go landings at the airport, they decided to perform a full stop landing. During the final approach to runway 35, the airplane struck power lines and subsequently impacted terrain just short of the runway.
Approach and Runway Information
The instructor reported that during the approach, he informed the student pilot that he 'was getting too low.' Runway 35 is equipped with a medium intensity lighting system, including eight green lights to identify the end of the runway. No precision approach path indicator (PAPI) or visual approach slope indicator (VASI) is installed on runway 35.
What happened in the 8 Jan 2005 Piper PA-28-161 accident near Decatur, TX?
A flight instructor and student pilot were approaching runway 35 when the airplane struck power lines and impacted terrain short of the runway.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 8 Jan 2005 involved a Piper PA-28-161, registration N9419C, at Decatur, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The student pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance and the instructor's inadequate supervision. Contributing factors were the prevailing dark night conditions, and the power line.
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